Greccio
Greccio | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Greccio | |
view of Greccio | |
Location of Greccio | |
| Coordinates: 42°27′N 12°45′E / 42.450°N 12.750°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Lazio |
| Province | Rieti (RI) |
| Frazioni | Limiti di Greccio, Sellecchia, Spinacceto |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Emiliano Fabi |
| Area | |
• Total | 17 km2 (7 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 705 m (2,313 ft) |
| Population (2008) | |
• Total | 1,529 |
| • Density | 90/km2 (230/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 02040 |
| Dialing code | 0746 |
Greccio (pronounced [ˈɡrett͡ʃo]) is an old hilltown and comune of the province of Rieti in the Italian region of Lazio, overhanging the Rieti Valley on a spur of the Monti Sabini, a sub-range of the Apennines, about 16 kilometres (10 miles) by road northwest of Rieti, the nearest large town.
It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy"). The town hall of the comune is in the frazione of Limiti di Greccio.
Greccio was the place where, in December 1223, Saint Francis of Assisi devised the first living Nativity scene (in Italian: presepe). The Nativity scene tradition continues there to this day, and a memorial of Saint Francis, the Sanctuary of Greccio, may be visited.